Lucy a



(No Model.) v 4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

v T. J. MAYALL.

RAILWAY SYSTEM.

,054. Patented June 5. 1888.-;

m H a UUUUU I11- I I II as a a (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

T. J. MAYALL.

RAILWAY SYSTEM. N0.384 ,054. Patented June 5, 1888.

WITNESSES: 5 l/VVE/VTOH o 3 i i n. PflERs, Photo-Lithographer, Waahmgtcn. o, c.

(No MoaL 4 SheetsSheet a.

T. J. MAYALL.

RAILWAY SYSTEM Patentd June 5, 1888.

n. PETERS. mwmm w. wmm m, u. a

(No Model.) 4 SheetS-r-Sheet 4.

T. J. MAYALL.

RAILWAY SYSTEM.

Patented June 5. 1888.

FIIGNHI .FIGJX- FIG X Id/Z 271665255.- %az mLMm u. rzmis mmnmmr. Wnhington. DIC- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS J. MAYALL, OF READING, MASSACHUSETTS; LUCY A. MAYALL EXEGUTRIX OF SAID THOMAS J. MAYALL, DECEASED.

RAILWAY SYSTEM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 384,054, dated June 5, 1888.

Application filed June 23, 1887. Serial No. 242,307.

To (ZZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS J. MAYALL, of

IO ject specially to adapt the ordinary surface reads to the use of air-pressure as the motive power. To this end the road-bed of ordinary construction is provided with a number of arches extending from one side of the track to the other. These arches support a pneumatic tube, and may also carry a series of electric wires in a suitable conduit. The tube has a slot extendingits entire length,through which passes a coupling connecting the car with a carrier inside the tube. The slot is closed by aflexiblepackingofanti-frictionmaterial,asdescribed in my application for improvements in pneumaticrailway systems, filed J une 9, 1887, Serial No. 2&0, 728. It is preferred, however, to have such a packing on each side of the slot, instead of on one Side only, as the resistance opposed to the passage of the coupling rod or bar is thereby diminished. There are certain advantages attendant upon having the tube overhead instead of beneath the car. It is less liable to accidentor injury, and the slot therein is underneath instead of on top, and therefore not exposed to the elements and not likely to become clogged with ice and snow.

The invention includes certain details of construction, as hereinafter set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification, Figure I is a perspective view of cars and overhead tube; Fig. II, a side elevation; Fig. III, a cross-section, and Fig. IV a plan View of the same; Fig. V, a detail illustrating a valve and pumping-stations. Figs. VI and VII are details in longitudinal and cross'section of the tube and carrier. Figs. VIII and 1X are details in longitudinal section of a different form of tube and carrier Figs. X and XI, cross-sections thereof; Fig. XII, a detail showing shape of couplerbar.

coupler is removable.

(No model.)

Arepresents an ordinary road-bed, and B railway-cars of ordinary construction. The arches O are placed at suitable intervals apart and carry at their top a pneumatic tube, D. The latter is formed on its under side with a Slot, 2, extending its entire length. The slot 2 is normally closed by an elastic packing-tube, 3, of anti-friction material, (such as a compound of rubber, sulphite of antimony, oxide of iron, graphite,. and powdered asbestus.) Preferably each edge of the slot 2 is provided with Such a packing, as shown in Fig. XI.

The coupler 5, which connects the bar B with the carrier 6, is brought to an edge in front and behind, as shown in Fig. XII, so that the packingtubes 3 close tightly around it.

According to the construction shown in Figs. VIII, XI, the carrier 6 is providedwith a pivoted valve, 8, worked by a rod, 9, terminatingin ahandle, 10. This valve can be closed tightly when it is desired to have the car go ahead at full speed, or it can be opened more or less to diminish the speed, or to stop the car entirely.

As shown in Figs. VI and VII, the carrier 6 is permanently closed at each end. It is pro- .vided with a series of slots, 12, into any one of which the coupler 13 may be inserted. This \Vith this form of carrier it is necessary,in order to stop the car, to open the valves c, Fig. V, along the road, or to withdraw the coupler 13.

The tube D is exhausted by means of a number of stationary pumps and engines, E, (see Fig. V,) located at proper intervals along the line of the railway. The arches 0 may also be utilized for carrying electric conductors for driving the cars by electricity in case of failure of the pneumatic pressure.

It is obvious that some of the improvements described could be used without others and that modifications could be made in the de tails of construction without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having now fully described my said invention,what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, with the surface roadbed of ordinary construction and the cars tubes of anti-friction material,one on each edge of said slot, substantially as described.

4. The combination of the road-bed car, pneumatic tube having a slot, slotted carrier within said tube, and a coupler detachably connecting said car and carrier, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THOS. J. MAYALL.

\Vitnesses:

PHILIP MAURO, O. J. HEDRIoK. 

